Reporter Katie Alston helps out at Courtlands Farm

by Katie Alston

Evergreen Ewart Clough is the Father Christmas of the Christmas tree world.

The 87-year-old, (pictured below) started growing the trees in 1935 after buying some woodland next to Courtlands Farm in Church Lane, Barham.

Before he knew it he had grown his acorn of an idea into 20 acres, selling about 6,000 trees a year and supplying eight different tree types.

His trees take pride of place at key locations across the district, including the 30ft one outside of Canterbury Cathedral.

Since starting out, Mr Clough has seen many changes and developments within the farming industry. Technology has evolved, the economy has nosedived and the run-up to Christmas seems to start in November.

Reporter Katie Alston (pictured below) went to meet the man himself and find out the secret to his success.

“I love what I do,” he said. “It is great to see a family picking their Christmas trees and the faces of children light up.

“There is always talk of tree shortages but this year with the weak pound it will mean there are going to be fewer imported, which is, of course, good news for UK farmers like us and we are expecting to be busier. Buying locally also cuts down on your carbon footprint.

“Real Christmas trees are part of the whole holiday. It is the smell. I don’t understand why people would go for a fake tree. It is like putting fake flowers in your house – they just aren’t as nice.

“Christmas gets earlier every year. When we started the business people would only come to us around December 20 to get their trees. Now we get customers in November.

“I don’t intend to stop working just yet and will keep going for as long as I can.”

Read the full interview in this week's Kentish Gazette.